jmidgley

I really don't wan't to be a drag, but prepare for some disapppointment. A few years ago, I spent virtually every weekend of the summer at Sibson, trying to qualify by RAPS - got the revision dates in my logbook (which luckily I kept) to prove it. I did 6 jumps in the whole time I was there and never got off DRCPs. A whole summer, that I could have spent hang gliding. My juggling, OTOH, came on leaps and bounds. Someone asked me (I cherish the memory) 'do you do children's parties?'. You have to do 3 perfect DRCPs in succession, and then you have to do your 1st freefall within 24 hours. The very, very best of luck. Someone obviously does it, or there wouldn't be such a thing as RAPS, but I'm blessed if I know who. I did AFF in Spain, last year and this year. Came home after 10 days in March with 59 jumps, IC1, FS1, and an FAI 'B' licence. Insert smiley of choice. Regards John Midgley

I borrowed one of these for a few jumps recently - if it's the one I'm thinking of. At the back of the helmet, on each side, there's a slot moulded in which seems to locate the internal padding/lining. On the one I borrowed, one of the slots had started to elongate into a crack. What seemed to be happening is that as you spread the sides of the helmet to get it over your head, the stress is concentrated at the slot - craaaccckk. Comfy helmet, otherwise! If this sounds like your helmet, be careful. If not, ignore! Regards John Midgley

Hi On a related note, I did my AFF recently in Empuriabrava. I was hanging around waiting for my rig to be packed and I happened to notice that one of the brake lines was twisted, top to bottom, I'm guessing about 3 turns per inch. I shuffled from foot to foot as the packer got nearer to getting the thing in the container - what do I say, what do I do. Hey, it's my life - 'Excuse me, have a glance at this brake line; are you happy with this?' Reply - 'Are you a rigger?' Naturally I did what any red-blooded male would do; I wandered away sheepishly. Ah well. Regards John Midgley